Qatar Foundation (QF) participated in the American College of Greece’s 2019 International Sports Festival that took place recently in Athens, Greece. Four ‘all-star’ teams comprising students from QF’s partner universities participated in four categories – men’s football, women’s futsal, and men’s and women’s basketball.

Players for the teams were selected by a committee of coaches based on their performances in previous QF tournaments. A total of 41 athletes from over 25 countries represented QF in the festival, showcasing the sporting talent that exists within QF, its emphasis on encouraging healthy, active lifestyles, and its belief in the power of sport to unite communities and provide opportunities for social interaction.

QF’s men’s football team advanced to the semi-finals, claiming the fourth position, while the women’s futsal team demonstrated their resilience and strength as they contested three matches against highly experienced teams.

Dr Ryan McLawhon, Executive Director of Academic Services and Student Affairs at QF partner university Texas A&M University at Qatar and whose students were among those participating in the festival, said,

Forming these Education City ‘all-star’ sports teams is an opportunity for us to show how collaborating across universities builds community spirit and strength. This is a chance for the best athletes in Education City to experience a heightened level of competition, better preparing them to face bigger challenges in their futures.

In Qatar, we hope these partnerships will inspire greater and deeper connections moving forward. During our time in Greece, we aimed to communicate Qatar’s rich culture and spirit through tough competition, sportsmanship, and integrity, on and off the field.

As sports ambassadors, we hope to influence citizens of other countries to visit Qatar, before and during the FIFA 2022 World Cup™.’

Other participants in the festival included teams from the American College of Greece, the American University of Beirut, John Cabot University in Italy, and the Agricultural University of Athens.